Sandro Tonali returned to Italy this week as the Newcastle United player addressed his suspension from football.
Sandro Tonali has admitted that he considers himself ‘fortunate’ despite receiving a 10-month football ban last year. The Newcastle United midfielder will not play in a competitive match until the end of August, as he serves his punishment for breaking gambling rules.
In addition to the substantial penalties imposed by the Italian Football Federation last year, the English Football Association issued Tonali a suspended two-month ban for bets placed following his £52 million move to Newcastle last summer. The FA stated in its report that the 24-year-old helped reduce his second punishment by providing complete cooperation and a sincere apologies during the investigation.
Tonali appears to be continuing to give back as he spends time on the sidelines, having recently visited a sports high school in the Italian city of Bari to meet with young footballers and students. During the visit, the Italian international gave the children guidance and expressed his regret over his gambling.
“I was recently in a factory. I was able to reflect on those who work ten hours a day, just to bring home a salary,” Tonali told the students, as quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport. “I understood many precious things.
“One above all: if a worker lost his job, his entire family would pay the consequences. Well, this is also why I consider myself lucky. I made a mistake, but I didn’t lose anything.
Tonali is working hard behind the scenes, continuing to practice with Eddie Howe’s senior group while remaining out of competition. The former AC Milan player is overcoming his gambling addiction, which his agent referred to as a ‘disease’ last year.
Tonali has undergone therapy sessions and is making significant progress on the training pitch. All eyes are on the summer as the marquee signing gets closer to his much-anticipated homecoming.
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